Europe is now carrying out missions in the Red Sea to safeguard trade flows. Belgium participates in the missions by deploying one of the frigates. The Louise-Marie left on a mission from Zeebrugge on Sunday in the presence of the Minister of Defense Ludivine Dedonder (PS). The ship will be deployed to protect container ships on the shipping route in the Red Sea.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been carrying out attacks on container ships in the Red Sea since the end of last year. The Houthis want to hit maritime trade and thus increase pressure on the West to intervene in the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The Houthis say they support the Palestinians.
At the request of the left-wing parties, the deployment of the frigate is linked to a concrete position of Belgium in the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Belgium wants to call for a ceasefire and the start of a humanitarian corridor.
The frigate is also deployed in the Strait of Hormuz, between Iran and the Gulf of Oman. The operation was already set up in 2020 in response to increasing insecurity and instability in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz. Nine European countries are now participating in the operation.
The frigate first leaves for a few weeks of training and will then be deployed in the Red Sea and then sail to the Strait of Hormuz.